Charles Djou in 2014 Hawaii Governor's race
On Budget & Economy:
Runaway federal spending threatens our economy & job growth
The working families and small businesses in our islands are struggling in this difficult economy. I have witnessed the effects of this struggle throughout our district. The top concerns that constituents share with me are the runaway federal spending
and the growing national debt which together threaten our economy and hinder job growth. We cannot spend and borrow our way out of this economic downturn. It simply won't work.
The federal government is spending too much money on programs that do too little for the American people. Washington's intervention in our economy has spiraled out of control.
With our debt soaring past $14 trillion, we must plan where we're going and how much it will cost us to get there. We need bipartisan support to bring spending under control.
Source: 2014 Hawaii gubernatorial campaign website, Djou.com
Dec 20, 2013
On Education:
Empower parental involvement in schools over bureaucracy
We need a reformed education system that puts children first. I believe we must turn education right-side up by making principals and teachers accountable for our children's education and empowering parental involvement in schools.
Principals in turn must have the resources they need, including adequate funding and the ability to remove underperforming teachers.
The cost of educational bureaucracy must be reduced to insure that education dollars are spent in the classroom and teachers have the tools they need to educate our children, including continuing teacher education and training.
That's how good school systems work. We cannot continue to limit our children's potential in school systems that don't teach.
Source: 2014 Hawaii gubernatorial campaign website, Djou.com
Dec 20, 2013
On Families & Children:
Deeper appreciation of role faith plays in American families
Strong families raise successful children and keep communities together. I am candid about my own faith and my belief that we need a deeper, more substantive appreciation of the role that faith plays in American life.
We cannot legislate healthy families, good parenting skills or a sound moral environment and we should not try.
But we can do more in the public square to help parents through the increased challenges they face today by giving them the tools they need to succeed.
As a husband and father of three, I know that strong families and a diverse community form the bedrock of a strong Hawai`i and strong America.
Source: 2014 Hawaii gubernatorial campaign website, Djou.com
Dec 20, 2013
On Social Security:
Never renege on our promises & commitment to our seniors
The federal government has an obligation to honor the commitment it has made to our nation's citizens who have been paying into Social Security their whole life and are nearing retirement age. I have never and will never support reneging on our
commitment to our seniors.Social Security, Medicare and other entitlement programs need to be protected, not abused and exploited. Frequent borrowing from social security to pay for today's "priorities" has bankrupted the program.
We must keep the promises that have been made to our seniors. We cannot let Social Security go bankrupt. Social Security is sound for today's seniors and for those nearing retirement, but it needs to be fixed for our children. We must act soon,
because every year that we wait to fix this problem we will burden future generations.
I support President Obama's suggested reforms for entitlements and believe this should be the basic foundation for fixing Social Security for the next generation.
Source: 2014 Hawaii gubernatorial campaign website, Djou.com
Dec 20, 2013
On Technology:
Consistently opposes Honolulu rail project
Honolulu's proposed rail project is the largest public works venture in Hawaii history, financed by the largest tax increase our state has ever seen. Per capita, even before any cost overruns, the Honolulu rail system will be the most expensive rail
project in American history. These facts alone should give anyone who cares about fiscal responsibility pause.While I support mass transit, and projects such as an elevated HOT lane, I have consistently opposed this rail project.
The Honolulu rail system will consume all of our community's limited resources at the expense of other critical infrastructure needs like our water and sewer systems. Worse yet, it won't work. The system's own proponents admit that even after they spend
over $5 billion of your money, rail will likely only reduce traffic congestion by less than 2%. Even worse, rail is being transformed from a public works project into a private benefit club, paid for by the taxpayers.
Source: 2014 Hawaii gubernatorial campaign website, Djou.com
Dec 20, 2013
On Environment:
Advocated for recycling and trash services on City Council
Urban and dense Honolulu forces its children to walk home from school on broken sidewalks. It was refreshing a few weekends ago spending the day with the Hawaii Bicycling League discussing government reform and safe streets at TEDx Honolulu.
It's so nice to know others feel as strongly as you. If only our government leaders addressed structural problems the way they funneled pork projects like building a massive and widely unpopular rail system.
I saw the frustration of my friend Charles Djou when he served on the city council as he advocated for and worked for better recycling and trash services.
Fixing problems was real to him and his attempts in public service were often stifled by good intentioned politicians that promoted clumsy poor policy.
Source: Business Week on 2014 Hawaii Governor race
Dec 9, 2013
On War & Peace:
Don't forget troops in Afghanistan; don't draw down too fast
Congress is made up of numerous veterans who served during war time. But Djou represents a rare instance when a former lawmaker went from the partisan skirmishes on Capitol Hill to the real battlefront. Djou, a major in the Army Reserves, returned
recently from a stint in Afghanistan with what he described as a better perspective on what's important in life and politics.While voters are now focused on jobs and the economy, Djou said he will implore them not to forget about the troops in
Afghanistan. He is urging President Barack Obama not to draw down the number of troops too quickly for the sake of those soldiers who remain. "I recognize that the war on terrorists is not as hot an issue as it was in 2010 and certainly 2008, but I do
have a unique perspective and I do think it's important," Djou said in his first interview since his return. "I have a unique vantage point in explaining to the American people not to forget about those soldiers in harm's way."
Source: Associated Press on Fox News on 2014 Hawaii Governor race
Mar 5, 2012
On Civil Rights:
Supports traditional marriage but also domestic partnerships
Q: What is your opinion of gay marriage, and how could that factor into your campaign?A: I support traditional marriage. Marriage has both religious and civil implications. Marriage is undeniably a religious institution, in which a personal
relationship between individuals is instituted and celebrated according to their religious beliefs. In addition, government has long conferred legal benefits and protections on married couples. In other words, marriage is also a public institution.
This public institution has historically been limited to men and women, even where other relationships were respected. I support the continued restriction of marriage to an institution between men and women. This does not suggest that society should deny
gays and lesbians the legal benefits of marriage. On the contrary, I support domestic partnerships. Domestic partnerships afford the same legal benefits of marriage while preserving the sanctity of the marital institution.
Source: Jumping in Pools blog Q&A on 2014 Hawaii Governor's race
Mar 1, 2010
Page last updated: Dec 06, 2018